R&B songbird Roberta Flack can trace the roots of her musical aspirations back to the booming voices of Sam Cooke and Mahalia Jackson emanating from the Baptist Church on her block.  By the age of nine, she was emulating those performers, picking out tunes on a piano her father refurbished. Accepted to Howard University at the age of fifteen, Ms. Flack quickly established herself as one of the preeminent accompanists and singers in the District of Columbia.

After graduation, Ms. Flack pursued a teaching career, simultaneously making her name known at local night clubs.  The artist shared the stage with Woody Allen, Bill Cosby, and Liberace, performing regularly at the popular club Mr. Henry’s.

Les McCann noticed the young singer at a charity event, recalling later, “her voice touched, tapped, trapped, and kicked every emotion I've ever known. I laughed, cried, and screamed for more...she alone had the voice!”  Days later, she had an audition with Atlantic Records and recorded her first full length record in early 1969, taking just ten hours in the studio.  The album took off when Clint Eastwood chose the single “The First Time I Ever Saw Your Face” as the theme for his directorial debut.  The song rocketed to number one on the Billboard charts, and Ms. Flack’s place in history was sealed.

The 1970’s saw Ms. Flack win back-to-back Grammys for Record of the Year in 1973 and 1974 for “The First Time I Ever Saw Your Face” and “Killing Me Softly” respectively, the first artist to do so.  Meanwhile, collaborating heavily with Donny Hathaway, Ms. Flack released four albums, multiple singles, and was honored with an official day in Washington, D.C. for her vast contributions to music and education in the city.

Roberta Flack’s sultry voice and powerful lyrics drew a crowded audience to Sigmund Stern Grove on Father's Day, June 21st.  At the age of 72, Ms. Flack's undeniable stage presence and catalog of hits wowed Grove goers.  She is currently working on her fifteenth album, due to be released later this year.